ARTICLES ABOUT BURGERS BY DATE - PAGE 5

Giraffas Brazilian Steaks & Burgers is kicking off the new year with a TV debut Wednesday on the Travel Channel national network, just days before opening its first location in Broward County . "The Fast Foods Gone Global: USA" show will spotlight how the restaurant has imported Brazilian flavors into popular American cuisine. "Our goal is to make Brazilian food a desired taste in America. We are bringing high-end product at value prices, giving South Florida customers a great way to enjoy a variety of dishes that infuse the many flavors from Brazil's melting pot of nationalities and cultures," Giraffas CEO Joao Barbosa said in a statement.

Smashburger fans can bite into their favorite spicy chipotle burger at a new location opening Dec. 31 at 1729 S. Federal Highway in Boynton Beach . The restaurant designs its menu to local regional flavors and will feature Grilled Spanish chorizo and frita potatoes. "Creating a locally-inspired burger for our menus is one of the distinct things about Smashburger," said Tom Ryan, founder and chief concept officer in a written statement. Burgers are "smashed" on a 400-degree grill and served on a toasted artisan bun. The restaurant also serves chicken sandwiches, and hot dogs in addition to flash-fried carrot sticks and green beans.

They're back! Score a 55-cent Whopper Sandwich with purchase at Burger King through Sunday. Last week's tasty offer celebrating the South-Florida based chain's 55 th anniversay was so popular, the deal makes a return engagement. Buy any regular-priced Whopper and get one for 55 cents at participating restaurants. Also, if you did't try one last week, check out the limited-edition menu items: the Angry Whopper with habanero cheese and jalapinos, the Wisconsin White Cheddar Whopper and Seasoned Sweet Potato Curly Fries.

What's happening in food and dining around South Florida. Shula Burger 1515 SE 17th St., Fort Lauderdale, 954-278-3347, ShulaBurger.com This fast-casual concept's third branch - an offshoot of its steak-house chain - has opened in The Quay shopping center. "Our mission is to create raving fans by providing superior menu offerings from a welcoming staff in a sparkling-clean social environment," Shula Burger President Scott Nietschmann said in a press release. Fresh burgers are molded from premium chuck, short rib and brisket.

The next time that craving for a Burger King Whopper and french fries strikes, you can enjoy it without leaving home or work. Burger King is bringing a test of its BK Delivers program to South Florida this week. The program launching with six restaurants in the Miami area will expand to 35 locations in Miami-Dade and Broward counties by the end of the year. Orders can be placed online at www.BKDelivers.com or by calling 1-855-ORDER-BK. Read more about this development at MiamiHerald.com .

Make a $1 donation toward the Burger King Scholars Program and get a booklet with six yummy coupons. Make the donation to the fall fundraiser and the Miami-based fast-food chain's will give you coupons for three free ice cream cones and three free value size soft drinks or Icee frozen drinks. Redeem at participating restaurants through Dec. 31. In addition, U.S. high school seniors can apply for scholarships to the Burger King McLamore Foundation, which is granting $1,000 awards, 10 employee-designated $10,000 scholarships and three $50,000 James W. McLamore Whopper Scholarships starting on Nov. 15 through Jan. 10. Apply online at bkmclamorefoundation.org . The 2013 winners will be announced in May. The Burger King McLamore Foundation and its sponsors have given away 17.6 million in scholarships since 2000.

Critical violations of state sanitation and safety laws observed by inspectors at three South Florida restaurants last week prompted the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation to cite the owners and briefly suspend their operations. Bravo Gourmet Sandwich, 2925 N.E. 6 th Ave., Wilton Manors was briefly closed Sept. 24 after an inspector observed a bathroom was not enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors; there was no copy of the latest inspection report and the state hotel and restaurant license was not properly displayed; the manager lacked proof of food manager certification; the front counter hand washing sink lacked proper drying provisions, cleanser or an employee sign; a working container of sugar was removed from the original container and not identified by common name; a bowl without a handle in a rice container in the kitchen was improperly used to dispense food; uncovered dressing was in a holding unit/dry storage area; ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous rice was prepared on site, held more than 24 hours and not properly date-marked; there were 10 fresh rodent droppings found in a sink, on a food prep table next to a rice cooker, on a counter next to a kitchen toaster oven and elsewhere.

There are certain hidden places deep in the heart of Wellington that you simply can't find. Instead, they find you. Inside a non-descript shopping center and almost buried underneath offices for insurance and real estate and other professionals sits a bar that's been around for almost 18 years. It's called Backstreet's Neighborhood Bar and Grill. And this place is paradise. And somehow paradise found me. I often talk about the high life with exotic polo players and their adventures here in our little part of the world and how much they are a part of the night life here.

Burger King has a Whopper of an offer on Facebook! Buy one Whopper sandwich and get one free at participating restaurants with a coupon on the Burger King fan page. Click here for the deal. The coupon expires Nov. 4. Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook ; follow Doreen Christensen on Twitter@PrettyGoodIdeas and sign up for Deals text alerts .

Q: My wife and I love the Ocean Burger at Jimbo's Sandbar in Dania Beach. A while back it was removed from the menu and we would love to have the recipe. Can you help? Thanks. - Jim and Jeanine Caruso, Sunrise A: I have good news for you Jim and Jeanine. You'll be happy to know that not only was I able to get the ocean burger recipe but, due to popular demand it's back on the menu. According to Chef Tommy "Pineapple" Villanueva, Jimbo's Sandbar ( 6200 North Ocean Dr., Hollywood, 954-927-9560 JimbosSandbar.com)